Boyd Tonkin talks to Victoria Hislop about being inspired by landscapes and why she is ready for passionate criticism of her new book.

Manolo Blahnik's life story has been made into a unique memoir, blending biographical elements with fairytale.

This month's fiction fix is one of the strongest yet, according to our book bloggers. Reviewers all over the world have been scrambling to invent new ways to effuse over literature.

Jane-ites may quail at first, but should enjoy this, says Nicky Pellegrino.

Books almost always make the perfect gift. They can be beautiful, challenging, inspirational, educational or simply fun. There is something for everyone.

"The best travel," wrote Paul Theroux in his book Dark Star Safari, "is a leap in the dark".

New Zealand writer Paula Morris has travelled the word in her novels, but the inspiration from her latest release, Rangatira, came from closer to home. It was in her blood.

Parents wishing to change the attitude of their science-averse teenage boys could do worse than to drop into their Christmas stocking this account of Tim Flannery’s adventures as a young zoologist.

William Bligh, he of the mutiny on the Bounty, was arguably the most complex, interesting and observant of the European explorers in the South Pacific.

Gritty and funny - Jenny Wingfield's debut novel charms Nicky Pellegrino.

Writer Peter Wells explains the process of working with Auckland artist Gavin Hurley to create the cover for his new biography of the controversial historical figure William Colenso

Alex Miller was watching the squirrels from a bench in London's Holland Park when he first heard the opening words to his latest novel.

Some of New Zealand’s leading fiction writers have been trawling the history books for inspiration lately.

Tapestry of dark and light are skilfully woven, writes Nicky Pellegrino.

Prolific young adult author and television screenplay writer Anthony Horowitz talks to Stephen Jewell about penning the next escapades of the world’s most famous detective.

Best-selling crime writer Ian Rankin is the author of The Impossible Dead (Orion, $37.99).